Here we are 27 days away from the Pens home opener against the Ducks on October 9, at 7:08PM. It is astonishing that we're doing the post on the same day as the countdown considering that we have been late lately due to college life and slacking because of #BannerNightLiveTweets and other business. But thanks to our good Facebook friend Jesse Foster who reminded us last night in our Fleury post that since it is two days old, it was "irrelevant." Well Jesse, I decided to make you something, something that might make you a tad more "relevant" in the world but probably not. Either way, here we continue our countdown. Numerous players have worn the 27 sweater for the Penguins including Jim Morrison, Joe Noris, Jim Shires, Hank Nowak, Yves Bergeron, Pat Leframboise, Mike Corrigan, Jacques Cossette, Rod Schutt, Todd Charlesworth, Gilles Meloche, Scott Bjugstad, Gilbert Delorme, Glen Murray, former Pens coach Eddie O now broadcaster for NBC (YAY NHL 15), THE Alexei Kovalev, Georges Laraque, and #CoffeeWithCoaches and locker room cancer Craig Adams. There were a lot of old-time Penguins in that list but we're going to focus on Russian superstar Alexei Kovalev. AK27.Alexei Kovalev was drafted by the New York Rangers 15th overall during the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Kovi was the first Russian player to ever be selected in the first round in NHL history. Kovalev won a cup with the Rangers during the 1993-1994 season and was one of the first Russians to have his name on the Cup along with former Penguin (yet to be Penguin) Sergei Zubov. Kovalev spent his first seven years with the Rangers until he was abruptly traded to the Pens just 14 games into the 1998-1999 season for Petr Nedved, Sean Pronger, and Chris Tamer.
Kovi was slow to produce for the Pens recording just 46 points in 63 games for the Penguins. However his best years were yet to come. The following season Kovalev recorded 26 goals and 40 assists for (let's do the math) 66 points. Also equally impressive, it was the only season Kovalev played in all 82 games. The following season (2000-2001) he had his best year, recording 44 goals and 51 assists for 95 points. Kovalev also was a large reason as to how the Penguins got to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001 against the Devils recording 10 points in 18 games. The 2001-2002 season Kovalev recorded 76 points and was still a dominant force for the Penguins. During the 2002-2003 season, the Penguins knew they were heading in a new direction us fans were told was the "X-Generation" so on February 10, 2003 Kovalev was involved in a trade that basically sent the Penguins to New York and New York to the Penguins. But seriously, Kovalev was traded with Dan LaCouture, Janne Laukkanen, and Mike Wilson for Mikael Samuelsson (future Fleury trade bait), the ever so elite Rico Fata, Joel Bouchard, Richard Lintner and cash. What a deal. Kovalev had a second stint with the Penguins and finished his career in 2010-2011 as he was a trade deadline acquisition. His totals a Penguins were the best of his career, 365 games played. He recorded 151 goals, 203 assists for a total of 354 points. He was even a +11 Pittsburgh fans!!!!!
In Kovalev's short visit back to the Rangers he recorded 13 goals, 29 assists for 42 points. Kovalev was then shipping to Montreal on March 13, 2004 for a second round pick and some degenerate. Kovalev was completely irrelevant that year until the playoffs when he decided to go goodnight moon and recorded 6 goals, 4 assists for 10 points in 11 games. This was also the playoff series in which Kovi faked a wrist injury after being slashed and Boston Bruins (piece of shit) player Glen Murray walks right in and scores. Dammit Kovalev.
The next few years of Kovalev's career were kinda merrrrrr as he went over to play for his Russian team during the lockout and upon returning signed a 4 year $18 million dollar deal with the Canadiens. During his post-lockout stint with Montreal he had a resurgence playing with future criminal Andrei Kostitsyn (I think him and his brother Sergei were in the mafia) and Tomas Plekanec. During the 2005 season, Kovalev recorded 23 goals, 42 assists for 65 points. Either way, Kovalev was able to have a few good years in Montreal. Kovalev finished his Montreal career playing 314 games scoring 103 goals and and 161 assists for 264 points. Kovalev also caused some controversy for calling out teammates or something like that. Either way, he was named a captain for the 2009 Eastern Conference all-stars and his teammates weren't so he won that battle.
Kovalev signed a two year deal with the Sens during the offseason. He had some OK seasons in Ottawa but it was more about the milestones he tallied. For example, on November 22nd Kovi collected his 1,000th NHL point when he collected his 6th goal of the season. In addition, January 3, 2010 AK27 scored a career high 4 goals in a 7-3 win against the shitty ass Flyers. That's it for his Sens career as he was he agreed to waive his NTC to return to the Pens for a conditional 7th round pick. It was the year when Sid and Malkin were hurt so it's not like Kovi was in the playoffs playing with top-notch talent. So his last stint here was somewhat a waste. Basically after his career with the Pens he went unsigned and went back to Russia, said he could still play so Florida gave him a chance after the 2012-2013 lockout. Kovalev did absolutely nothing besides one three point game, his first as a Panther so in March he retired. He finished his NHL career with 1,316 games played, 430 goals, 599 assists for 1,029 career points. He was a career -31 so Pens "fans" would hate him.
Kovi's accolades include:
1992 Winter Olympics gold medal
2002 Winter Olympics bronze medal
IIHF World Championships 2005 - Best forward
(The Hockey News) Comeback player of the year award - 2008
NHL All-star - 2001, 2003, 2009
NHL All-star game MVP - 2009
Stanley Cup Champion - 2004 New York Rangers
Stay tuned tomorrow to see who number 26 will be! Jesse Foster, we'll even try to post it on time!!
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